|
Concerning demands made by the Chinese Embassy last month that Korean politicians not attend the inauguration on the Taiwanese president, the information officer of the Chinese Embassy in Korea said Wednesday that, "China would not take immediate measures against the relevant individuals, but it would remember."
In a telephone interview with the Chosun Ilbo, the information officer, when asked if China would refuse to grant visas to those politicians who visited Taiwan, answered, "We remember when big and small things occur. Don't we have emotions, too?"
It was revealed Tuesday that the Chinese Embassy had called and faxed ruling and opposition party lawmakers prior to their attendance of Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's inauguration on May 20 in Taipei, asking them not to attend. This was learned through writing posted by former Millennium Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Seong-min on his homepage.
Jang said, "The embassy phoned and faxed that since Korea agreed it would keep the 'One China' principle when the two countries established diplomatic ties, it would be best if National Assembly members kept that principle. It also sent letter to each party's leadership... This wasn't an instruction from the mother country, but a measure taken by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul after making its own autonomous judgment."
Asked if the action could be seen as arrogant, the Chinese information officer said, "Because of their identities as National Assemblymen, they can influence things politically... This wasn't arrogance, but something done because we'd like to sincerely think of Korea as a close friend."
(Lee Ha-won, may2@chosun.com )
|
